Method of making composite articles



Dec. 14 1926.

L. F. LAMPLOUGH- METHOD OF MAKlNGbOMPOSITE ARTICLES Filed Oct. 16 1924 Aiir Patented Dec. 14, 1926.

UNITED STATES LESLIE rawonrr LAMPLQUGH, or catcrreo, ILLINOIS, Assreuon TO WESTERN ELEC- TRIO com any, INCORPORATED, on NEW YORK, N. Y, A'CORPORATION or NEW YORK.-

METHOD OF- MAKING COMPOSITE ARTICLES. A

Application filed October 16; 1924. Serial ma 743,917.

This invention relates to a method of forming a composite article, and particularlyto a method offorming a composite sheath for a core.

An object of the invention is to produce a relatively inexpensive composite article for covering cores and the like by a simplified and improved method.

In accordance with the features of the in vention, a portion of material is applied to a portion of vulcanizable material which is so treated that the portions become self-attached to each other.

In a specific embodiment of the invention,

rubber or a vulcanizable compound thereof is extruded around a continuously moving,

electrical conductor or other core and contemporaneously therewith a plurality of tex-* tile strandsare applied in helical formation to the rubber in such manner that each strand contacts with the. rubber throughout/its en-.

tire length. The core with its coating of rubber and textile serving is contemporaneously subjected to a bituminous compound which .is heated to a temperature which will efiect vulcanization of the rubber after it has impregnated the strands and softened the rubber. The rubber, when softened, en-

ters the interstices between the strands and causes the strands to adhere to the rubber coating which is subjected to the heated bitumen a sufficient length of time to cause vulcanization thereof.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent as the detailed description progresses, reference being had to coating consisting of a suitable plastic materlal, such as a vulcanizable rubber compound. The coated core then passes through a rotatable serving head 16 driven by a belt 17, which serving head 16 applies textile strands 18 to the coating 15. The term strand as used in the specification and appended claims refers to material having the configuration resembling a fiber, hair, filament. string, or the like, or in the nature of a cord consisting of fibers, ,or yarns twisted together. After leaving the serving head 16 the coated core passes through a housing 20 wherein the tex tile strands 18 are subjected tea bath com prising a heated bituminous compound in dicated at 21. wound upon a rotat'ably reel 23 driven byabelt 24.

The extrusion machine 13 may be of any well-known type, such as is commonly em mounted take-up The sheathed core is then 05 ployedin covering electricalconductors with T0 vulcanizable'rubber and it comprises a hop- '--per 26 through which the material may be fed into a suitable feeding mechanism driven by a belt 27, the feeding mechanism supplying the material to the die-12 which formt5 the material into a uniform coating around the core. The rubber is preferably extruded at-a temperature slightly below its vulcanizing temperature so that it may be vulcanized in a minimum amount of time during a contemporaneous step of the improved method.

The servin head 16 preferably comprises a plurality o cops 30 from which composite strands 31 are withdrawn and served to the coating 15, each composite strand 31 consist in of a pluralityof the strands 18. Suitabe guides 33 spread the strands 18 as they are applied tothe coating 15 so that each strand 18 contacts throughout its entire length with the coating 15, and is equi-dis tantly spaced from the center of the core 11. The strands '18 are applied to the coating 15 in helical formation, each strand 18 being substantially in contact with the adjacent strands 18. The relatively large number of strands applied simultaneously to the coatin make it possible to serve the strands in he ices having a long pitch so that the coat-.

ing 15 will be entirely covered by the strands when the extrusion machine'13 is operating at a'relatively high speed. 7

Associated with the housing 20 are mercury seals 35 through which the coated and served core passes when it enters and leaves the housing. Each mercury seal 35 comprises a U-shaped tube 36 1n which sheaves 37am, mounted to gulde the coated core through a quantity of mercury held in the U-sha ed tube. The mercury seals 35 permit t e pressure within the housing ,20 to be maintained at an desired value, the housing'being connecte to an air compressor or the like (not known) by a pipe 40.

The bituminous compound 21 is heated by any suitable means (not shown) to a temperature,which is sufiiciently high to effect vulcanization of the coating 15, sheaves 41 being provided to lead the coated core through the compound. The compound first impregnates the strands 18 so as to water-proof or weather-proof them and fluxes or softens the 1 coating in such manner that the vulcanizable material enters the interstices between t he strands. The fibrous nature of the strands facilitates thetask of impregnating them and readily permits the bituminous compound to come in contact with the coating 1:). The coating. 15 is subjected to the heated compound for a sufficient length of time to e'fl'ect vulcanization thereof. The coating 15 and strands 18 then become firmly attached to each other.

What is claimed is:

1. A process of sheathing a core which comprises, applying a vulcanizable material to the core, applying an, impregnable strand to the vuloanizable material, and vulcanizing the material in such a manner that the strand is impregnated and firmly the vulcanized material.

2. A process of sheathing a core which attached to a manner that it nated with the bituminous compound and the said material is vulcanized.

4. A process of sheathing a core, which comprises extruding. vulcanizable material around the core, contemporaneously therewith applying a lurality of strands to said material, and su jecting the strands to a heated bituminous compound in such manner that said material is vulcanized.

5. A process of sheathing a core, which comprises extruding. vulcanizable material around the core, applying a covering thereto, and subjecting the covering to a heated bituminous compound in such manner that said material is, first softened .and then vulcanized to firmly attach the covering to the material. 1

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 24 day of September A. D., 1924..

LESLIE FAWCETT LAMPLOUGH. 

